Oct. 31 is Halloween to the world, but to Nevadans, it’s also a state holiday, Nevada Day. 
A little Nevada trivia just for fun: Nevada gained its statehood on Oct. 31, 1864, and its constitution was sent to Washington, D.C., in a $4,000 telegraph that took 12 hours to tap out. It was the longest telegraph transmission until the New Testament of the Bible was sent from England to Chicago in 1881. (Visit the Nevada State Library and Archives for more on this.)
Every year state offices and schools close to celebrate Nevada Day with a major parade in the capital, festivals, fairs, contests, tours, food and fun. This year’s parade theme tips a hat to President Abraham Lincoln, who granted Nevada its statehood. Lincoln was born in 1809, so this year marks the 200th anniversary of his birth.
The parade, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Carson Street through downtown Carson City, kicks off with a hot-air-balloon liftoff at 8 a.m., followed by a flyover of military aircraft at 10 a.m.
During and after the parade is a wide variety of activities such as the World 
Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest (picture hammering a giant metal spike into a block of granite), the always popular beard contest, a tour of the Governor’s Mansion, the Nevada Day Pow-Wow, the 10th Annual Silver State Rumble boxing tournament, pancake breakfasts, a chili feed and live music all day long.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum will fire up its historic steam engine for rides every 40 minutes from a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets range from free for children under 5 to $5 for adults.
Another annual highlight of the holiday is the coin press at the Nevada State Museum. 
The museum, housed in the former U.S. Mint, will operate its coin press on Nevada Day and mint a commemorative Lincoln Bicentennial medallion in both silver and copper versions. The copper medallions are $35 and the silver are $55, and can be pre-ordered by calling 775-687-4810 ext. 234 or 244.
Find out more about Nevada Day festivities at www.nevadaday.com.
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